Infant car seat and safety belt system

ABSTRACT

An improved infant car seat includes a seat shell, a first safety belt having a first looped end, a second safety belt having a second looped end, a third safety belt having a third looped end, and a splitter place connecting the first, second and third safety belts behind the seat shell. The ajuster mates with the adjustment teeth to extend or retract the seat back relative to the seat shell when the adjuster is rotated.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/152,934, filed on May 21, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,216, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/361,922, filedMar. 4, 2002, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to infant car seats for seating and transportinginfants and small children.

2. Description of the Related Art

Infant car seats are commonly used to conveniently and safely seat andtransport infants and small children. Such car seats generally comprisea molded plastic seat shell having a seat back for supporting the infantand a U-shaped handle that extends across the seat shell for carryingthe seat shell. A safety belt harness is typically provided to securethe infant in the seat shell.

One problem with conventional car seats is that they cannot be adjustedto fit the size of the infant as the infant grows. The car seat becomesuncomfortable for the infant and can pose an increased risk of injury tothe infant in a vehicle collision if the safety belt harness does notfit properly. Accordingly, some existing car seats have an adjustableseat back that can be extended relative to the seat shell as the infantgrows. This allows the car seat to be better fitted to the infant. Theadjustment of the seat back in such car seats, however, is typicallycomplicated and time consuming. In addition, improper adjustment of theseat back can result in injury to the infant.

In conventional car seats, the safety belt harness typically includes anumber of safety belts that extend from behind the seat shell throughslots in the seat back. If the seat back is movable to fit the infant,the safety belts typically must be removed and re-threaded through theslots in the seat back after the seat back is adjusted. This, too, cansometimes be difficult and time consuming.

Young infants do not have the physiological development of the neck,shoulders, and spine necessary to be restrained by a safety belt harnessin a forward facing direction without serious injury. Accordingly, inorder to better protect infants in the event of vehicle collisions,infant car seats are designed to face rearwardly in a direction oppositethe normal direction of travel of the vehicle. In rear-facing car seats,collision impact forces are distributed by the seat back over theinfant's entire head and torso, thereby minimizing the risk of injury tothe infant.

In general, the more upright the seat shell, the better the distributionof collision impact forces over the infant's body. Smaller infants,however, cannot tolerate being as upright as larger infants can.Accordingly, the seat shell should be more upright for larger, heavierinfants than for smaller, lighter infants.

Some existing car seats include angle indicators to indicate whether theangular orientation of the seat shell is proper when the car seat issituated in a vehicle. Such angle indicators, however, indicate asproper a single range of angular orientations of the seat shell for allinfants to which the car seat is suited, and do not differentiate basedon the size or weight of the infant. As a result, if the infantoccupying the car seat is very large, the angle indicator may indicateas proper a seat shell orientation that is too reclined. Conversely, ifthe infant occupying the car seat is very small, the angle indicator mayindicate as proper a seat shell orientation that is too inclined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an infant car seat is provided including a movable seatback that is easy to operate, a safety belt harness that is adjusted asthe seat back is adjusted and that is easy to assemble and relativelycheap to manufacture, and an angle indicator that indicates whether theangular orientation of the car seat is proper based upon the weight ofthe infant occupying the car seat.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an infant carseat is provided, including a seat shell, a seat back slideablyconnected to the seat shell, a plurality of adjustment teeth providedalong the seat back, and an adjuster rotatably connected to the seatshell. The adjuster mates with the adjustment teeth to extend or retractthe seat back relative to the seat shell when the adjuster is rotated.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an infantcar seat is provided, including a seat shell, a seat back moveable alongthe seat shell to extend or retract the seat back relative to the seatshell, a plurality of adjustment teeth provided along the seat back, andan adjuster rotatably connected to the seat shell. The adjuster includesa main body having a central axis, a first projection extending from themain body on a first side of the central axis, and a second projectionextending from the main body on a second side of the central axisopposite the first side. The first and second projections mate with theadjustment teeth to extend or retract the seat back relative to the seatshell upon rotation of the adjuster.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an infantcar seat is provided, including a seat shell, a first safety belt havinga first looped end, a second safety belt having a second looped end, athird safety belt having a third looped end, and a splitter plateconnecting the first, second and third safety belts behind the seatshell. The splitter plate includes a lower portion and an upper portionthat extends over the lower portion from a first side of the lowerportion towards a second side of the lower portion, defining a gapbetween an end of the upper portion and the second side of the lowerportion. The gap is sized to allow the first and second looped ends toslide through the gap and around the upper portion and the third loopedend to slide through the gap and around the lower portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an infantcar seat is provided, including a seat shell, a pendulum pivotablysuspended within the seat shell, the pendulum having an indicator, afirst viewing area provided in the seat shell, and a second viewing areaprovided in the seat shell. The indicator is visible in the firstviewing area when an angular orientation of the seat shell is within afirst range. The indicator is visible in the second viewing area when anangular orientation of the seat shell is within a second range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of an infant carseat having certain features and advantages in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the infant car seat illustratingthe movable seat back and adjustment mechanism in exploded view;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the infant car seat illustratingthe movable seat back and adjustment mechanism in exploded view;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the movable seat back;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the inner member of the adjusterof the adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the inner member;

FIG. 7 is side elevational view of the inner member rotated 90 degreesfrom the orientation of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the biasing member of theadjustment mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the infant car seat with a portionof the movable seatback cut away to illustrate the adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cutaway view of the adjustment mechanism with theadjuster in a first rotational orientation;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cutaway view with the adjustment mechanism withthe adjuster rotated 90 degrees from the first rotational orientation ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the infant car seat with the left sidesof the car seat and the movable seat back cut away to illustrate therouting of one of the safety belts of the car seat;

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the splitter plate of the infant car seat;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the splitter plate with the safety belts ofthe car seat connected thereto;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the splitter plate illustrating a firststep in the connection of one of the safety belts;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the splitter plate illustrating asecond step in the connection of the safety belt of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a left side view of the infant car seat with both viewingareas of the angle indicator of the car seat indicating a proper angularorientation of the car seat;

FIG. 18 is a left side view of the infant car seat illustrating thependulum of the angle indicator in phantom;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the pendulum;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the pendulum;

FIG. 21 is a left side view of the infant car seat with one of theviewing areas of the angle indicator of the car seat indicating animproper angular orientation of the car seat;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the top of a car seat base for use inconnection with the infant car seat;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the bottom of the base with the footportion of the base removed;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the one of the rails, rail guides andlock mechanisms of the base;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the rail, rail guide and lockmechanism taken through the rail guide and lock mechanism;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of one of the lock stampings of the lockmechanism;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the base taken through one of therails;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the bottom of the car seat;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the bottom of the release handle of thecar seat;

FIG. 30 is a left side view of the car seat with a portion of the leftside cut away to illustrate the manner of operation of the releasehandle;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the connection bracket of the base;

FIG. 32 is a left side view of the connection bracket;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the car seat and base;

FIG. 34 is a left side view of the car seat and base with the car seatconnected to the base;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the lifter of the base;

FIG. 36 is a left side view of the lifter;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the bottom of the base;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the foot portion of the base;

FIG. 39 is a left side view of the foot portion;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the base taken alongside one of theside walls of the connection bracket;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a stroller for use in connection withthe car seat;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the bottom of the tray of the stroller;

FIG. 43 is a top plan view of the tray bar of the stroller;

FIG. 44 is a rear elevational view of the tray bar;

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the tray and tray bar taken alongone of the runners of the tray, with the tray cradled in the tray bar;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the tray and tray bar taken alongone of the runners of the tray, with the tray rotated away from the traybar;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the tray bar and tray, with the trayrotated away from the tray bar;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the car seat and the stroller, with thecar seat connected to the stroller;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the bottom of the car seat and traybar, with the car seat connected to the tray bar; and

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of one of the supports connected to thestroller, with the support deployed to support the car seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference initially to FIG. 1, an infant car seat 20 is illustratedhaving certain features and advantages in accordance with the presentinvention. In the illustrated embodiment, the infant car seat 20includes a molded plastic seat shell 22 having a head end 24 and a footend 26. The seat shell 22 includes a seating surface 28 and a pair ofside walls 30 that extend upwardly from the sides of the seating surface28. The seating surface 28 and the side walls 30 are preferably coveredwith a removable padding material (not shown) to comfortably support aninfant in the seat shell 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a handle assembly 38 extends transverselyacross the seat shell 22 and is connected to the side walls 30. In theillustrated embodiment, the handle assembly 38 includes a generallytriangular central grip portion 40 and a pair of handle arms 42 thatextend towards the side walls 30 from the grip portion 40. The ends ofthe handle arms 42 opposite the grip portion 40 preferably are rotatablyconnected to the seat shell by rivets 44 or other suitable fastenersthat extend through openings 46 in the ends of the handle arms 42. Therivets 44 preferably extend through brackets (not shown) which, in turn,are connected to the side walls 30 of the seat shell.

A lock mechanism 50 preferably is provided at the end of each of thehandle arms 42 to lock the handle assembly 38 in a desired rotationalposition relative to the seat shell 22. In the illustrated embodiment,the lock mechanisms 50 are operated by actuators 54 that extend frompockets in the handle arms 42. When both of the actuators 54 aremanually pressed into the pockets, the handle assembly 38 can be rotatedrelative to the seat shell 22. In FIG. 1, the handle assembly 38 isillustrated in a typical carrying orientation, wherein the handleassembly 38 extends above the seat shell 22. By pressing the actuators54, the handle assembly 38 can be rotated and locked behind the head end24 of the seat shell, for example, to more conveniently allow an infantto be placed in or removed from the car seat 20.

It is to be understood that the particular configurations of the handleassembly 38 and handle lock mechanisms 50 illustrated are merelyexemplary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other suitablehandle assemblies and handle lock mechanisms can alternatively be used.

Movable Seat Back

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, theinfant car seat 20 includes a movable seat back 60. The seat back 60 hasan elongated center portion 64 and a head rest portion 66 that extendsoutwardly from the sides of the center portion 64. A head rest insert68, preferably comprising an expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, fits overthe head rest portion 66 to support the head of an infant occupying thecar seat 20.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, a shoulder belt channel 70 is formedalong each side of the center portion 64 of the seat back 60 by ribs 74that extend from the center portion 64. A transversely extending slot 76is provided at an end of each of the channels 70 for passage of a firstsafety belt 80 and a second safety belt 82 (see FIG. 14). A number ofhooks 84 extend from the sides of the center portion 64 to connect theseat back 60 to the seat shell 22 in a manner to be described in greaterdetail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the car seat 20 includes an adjustmentmechanism 88 to adjust the longitudinal position of the seat back 60relative to the seat shell 22. With reference still to FIG. 4, theadjustment mechanism 88 includes a plurality of adjustment teeth 90,which are provided along the center portion 64 of the seat back 60. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the adjustment teeth 90 are arranged in aline extending longitudinally along the center portion 64. Theindividual adjustment teeth 90 extend laterally towards a side of thecenter portion 64 and define a number of generally U-shaped valleys 94therebetween.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjustment mechanism 88 furtherincludes an adjuster 98 and a biasing member 100. In the illustratedembodiment, the adjuster 98 includes an inner member 104 and an outermember 106. The inner member 104, illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, includes amain body 108 having a larger diameter portion 110 and a smallerdiameter portion 112. A first cylindrical projection 120 and a secondcylindrical projection 122 extend from the larger diameter portion 110.Each of the projections 120, 122 has a central axis offset from acentral axis of the main body 108. Preferably, the projections 120, 122are aligned on opposite sides of the central axis of the main body 108.As best illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of tabs 126 extends from thesmaller diameter portion 112 of the main body 108.

As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the biasing member 100 comprises agenerally K-shaped member having a contact segment 136 and a pair ofcantilever legs 138. Each of the legs 138 is attached at one end to aside of the contact segment 136. A rib 140 extends along the side of thecontact segment 136 to reinforce the contact segment 136.

With reference again to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, arecessed area 146 is provided in the seating surface 28 of the seatshell 22 near the head end 24 of the seat shell 22. A transverselyextending slot 150 is provided in the recessed area 146. Preferably, theheight of the slot 150 in the longitudinal direction of the seat shell22 is slightly greater than the diameter of the smaller diameter portion112 of the main body 108 of the inner member 104, and less than thediameters of the larger diameter portion 110 and the outer member 106 ofthe adjuster 98.

The inner member 104 of the adjuster 98 is positioned on the inside ofthe seat shell 22 so that the larger portion 110 of the main body 108abuts the seat shell 22 and the smaller portion 112 extends through theslot 150. The outer member 106 of the adjuster 98 is positioned on theoutside of the seat shell 22 and is aligned with the inner member 104.The tabs 126 of the inner member 104 extend into openings 154 (see FIG.2) formed in the outer member 106. One or more screws (not shown) extendthrough the inner member 104 into the outer member 106 to connect theinner member 104 to the outer member 106, thereby retaining the adjuster98 in the slot 150.

With reference now to FIG. 9, the seat back 60 is positioned at theinside of the seat shell 22 so that the ribs 74 defining the shoulderbelt channels 70 extend into the recessed area 146 of the seat shell 22.The hooks 84 at the sides of the seat back 60 extend into longitudinalslots 156 that extend along the seating surface 28 below the recessedarea 146. A fastener, such as a rivet (not shown), extends through anopening 152 provided in the seat back 60 above the adjustment teeth 90,and through a longitudinally extending slot 154 provided in the seatshell 22. The seat back 60 is thereby slideably connected to the seatshell 22. Additional fasteners (not shown) may be provided throughvarious openings (not shown) in the seat back 60 and slots (not shown)in the seat shell 22, as necessary, to retain the seat back 60 inparallel to the recessed area 146 of the seat shell 22.

The biasing member 100 is positioned between the seat back 60 and theseat shell 22. As best illustrated in FIG. 10, a first rib 160 extendslongitudinally along the recessed portion 146 of the seat shell 22. Asecond rib 162 and a third rib 164 extend laterally along the recessedportion 146 from the first rib 160 towards the adjuster 98. The legs 138of the biasing member 100 contact the first rib 160. The contact segment136 of the biasing member 100 contacts the adjustment teeth 90 providedalong the seat back 60.

When the adjuster 98 is oriented as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each of theprojections 120, 122 resides in one of the valleys 94 between theadjustment teeth 90. The second projection 122 is above the firstprojection 120. The first and second projections 120, 122 cooperate withthe adjustment teeth 90 to fix the longitudinal position of the seatback 60 relative to the seat shell 22.

When the adjuster 98 is rotated as illustrated in FIG. 11, the firstprojection 120 abuts the bottom of one of the valleys 94 between theadjustment teeth 90. The second projection 122 contacts and slides alongthe contact segment 136 of the biasing member 100. The contact segment136 is moved towards the first rib 160, causing the legs 138 of thebiasing member 100 to flex. The second and third ribs 162, 164 help toretain the biasing member 100 in place as the second projection 122slides along the contact segment 136.

As the adjuster 98 is rotated, the axis of rotation of the main body 108is moved laterally in the slot 150 away from the adjustment teeth 90. Asa result, the first projection 120 is moved generally linearly along thelongitudinal axis of the seat shell 22. When the adjuster 98 is rotatedfrom the orientation of FIGS. 9 and 10 to the orientation of FIG. 11,the first projection 120 is moved longitudinally towards the head end 24of the seat shell 22. The second projection 122 is rotated around thefirst projection 120 towards the foot end 26 of the seat shell 22.

As the adjuster 98 is rotated beyond the orientation illustrated in FIG.11, the axis of rotation of the main body 108 is moved laterally in theslot 150 back towards the adjustment teeth 90. The biasing member 100urges the second projection 122 towards the adjustment teeth 90 and intothe valley 94 below the first projection 120. Thus, as adjuster 98 isrotated counterclockwise (from a perspective inside the seat shell) 180degrees from the orientation of FIGS. 9 and 10, the second projection120 is rotated from the valley 94 above the first projection 120 to thevalley 94 below the first projection 120, thereby extending the seatback 60 relative to the seat shell 22.

Accordingly, by rotating the adjuster 98, the longitudinal position ofthe seat back 60 can be adjusted to accommodate infants of varioussizes. The first and second projections 120, 122 mate with theadjustment teeth 90 to extend or retract the seat back 60 relative tothe seat shell 22. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a stop surface172 is provided at each end of the adjustment teeth 90 so that, when theseat back 60 is fully extended or retracted, one of the projections 120,122 abuts the stop surface 172 to prevent the adjuster 98 from beingfurther rotated.

Advantageously, the movable seat back 60 allows the car seat 20 to bebetter fitted to the size of the infant occupying it. The seat back 60can be extended as the infant grows. By adjusting the position of theseat back 60 relative to the seat shell 22, the head rest portion 66 canbe moved into place behind the infant's head, increasing the comfort andsafety of the infant.

The movable seat back 60 of the illustrated embodiment is simple andconvenient to adjust. It can be extended or retracted simply by rotatingthe adjuster 98. In contrast to some prior art car seats, the first andsecond safety belts 80, 82 need not be re-threaded through the seat back60 and/or the seat shell 22 to fit the infant after the seat back 60 hasbeen adjusted. As the seat back 60 is adjusted, the safety belt harnessis also adjusted. As a result, the potential for misuse of the car seat20 is reduced.

Splitter Plate

With reference again to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, a safetybelt slot 180 is provided in the recessed area 146 of the seat shell 22on each side of the adjuster slot 150. Preferably, the safety belt slots180 in the seat shell 22 are located so that they are generally inregistration with the safety belt slots 76 in the seat back 60 when theseat back 60 is fully extended relative to said seat shell 22.

With reference now to FIG. 12, the first safety belt 80 extends from theinside of the seat shell 22 through one of the safety belt slots 76 inthe seat back 60. The second safety belt 82 (not shown in FIG. 12)extends from the inside of the seat shell 22 through the other safetybelt slot 76 in the seat back 60. The first and second safety belts 80,82 extend through the channels 70 in the seat back 60 and through thesafety belt slots 180 in the seat shell 22.

As the position of the seat back 60 is adjusted to fit the size of theinfant occupying the car seat 20, the safety belt slots 76 in the seatback 60 are moved to position them directly above the shoulders of theinfant. The first and second safety belts 80, 82 preferably areconnected to a buckle (not shown) positioned in front of the infant. Thebuckle preferably is connected to various other belts (not shown) thatextend between or around the legs of the infant, as is well known in theart, to restrain the infant in the car seat 20. In the illustratedembodiment, the buckle is connected to a crotch belt (not shown) thatextends from a crotch belt pocket 184 (see FIG. 28) near the foot end 26of the seat shell 22.

With reference to FIG. 13, the first and second safety belts 80, 82preferably are connected behind the seat shell 22 to a splitter plate188. In the illustrated embodiment, the splitter plate 188 includes alower portion 190 and an upper portion 192 extending over the lowerportion 190 from a first side of the lower portion 190 towards a secondside of the lower portion 190. A gap 196 is provided between an end ofthe upper portion 192 and the second side of the lower portion 190.

The upper portion 192 preferably has a curved interior surface 200 andincludes a retainer 202 that extends inwardly from the end of the upperportion 192. The lower portion 190 preferably includes a first retainer204 that extends inwardly from the first side of the lower portion 190and a second retainer 206 that extends inwardly from the second side ofthe lower portion 190.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first and second safety belts 80, 82preferably each have an end that is folded over and sewn to form a loop210. A third safety belt 216, preferably also having a looped end 210,is connected to the splitter plate 188 by sliding the looped end 210over the lower portion 190 of the splitter plate 188. A first side ofthe looped end 210 is first slid beneath the first retainer 204 of thelower portion, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The looped end 210 is thenbunched together, as illustrated in FIG. 16, to allow a second side ofthe looped end 210 to slide beneath the second retainer 206, therebypreventing the looped end 210 of the third safety belt 216 from slidingoff of the lower portion 190 of the splitter plate 188.

With reference again to FIG. 14, the first and second safety belts 80,82 are connected to the splitter plate 188 by sliding the looped ends210 over the upper portion 192 of the splitter plate 188. The retainer202 prevents the looped ends 210 from sliding off of the upper portion192. Advantageously, because the looped ends 210 of the first, secondand third safety belts 80, 82, 216 can be slid through the gap 196, thesewing of the looped ends 210 can be performed prior to connecting thebelts 80, 82, 216 to the splitter plate 188.

The curved interior surface 200 of the upper portion 192 of the splitterplate 188 accommodates the converging arrangement of the first andsecond safety belts 80, 82 and allows a greater width of the looped ends210 to contact the upper portion 192 of the splitter plate 188. Thecurved surface 200 further prevents bunching of the looped ends 210 ofthe first and second safety belts 80, 82 at the ends of the upperportion 192.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the end of the third safety belt 216opposite the splitter plate 188 preferably is routed through an opening220 of a tensioning device 222 provided near the foot end 26 of the seatshell 22, as is well known in the art. When the tensioning device 222 isactuated, the third safety belt 216 can be drawn through the opening220. When the device 222 is released, the belt 216 is constrained in theopening 220. Accordingly, by operating the tensioning device 222, thelength of the third safety belt 216 extending behind the seat shell 22can be varied. By reducing the effective length of the third safety belt216, the splitter plate 188, and thus the ends 210 of the first andsecond safety belts 80, 82, can be drawn towards the foot end 26 of theseat shell 22 to remove any excess slack in the first and second safetybelts 80, 82 and secure the infant in the car seat 20.

Multiple-Range Angle Indicator

With reference now to FIG. 17, in the illustrated embodiment, the infantcar seat 60 includes a multiple-range angle indicator 230. As discussedabove, it is important for the safety of the infant that the infant notbe too inclined or too reclined in the car seat 20 when the car seat 20is being transported in an automobile. Generally, the seat shell 22should be more inclined or upright when transporting larger infants, andmore reclined when transporting smaller infants. The multiple-rangeangle indicator 230 of the illustrated embodiment allows the properangular orientation of the seat shell 22 to be determined based on theweight of the infant occupying the car seat 20.

With reference again to FIG. 9, in the illustrated embodiment, a largepocket 234 is provided in the seat shell 22 on each side of the seatingsurface 28. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the pockets 234 is definedby an inner side wall 236 and an outer side wall 238 that extendgenerally vertically beneath the seating surface 28. The inner and outerside walls 236, 238 of each pocket 234 form a support 242 for supportingthe car seat 20. Preferably, each of the supports 242 has a curvedbottom surface 246 to allow the car seat 20 to rock back and forth onthe supports 242 when the car seat 20 is placed on a floor or othersurface.

A pendulum 250 preferably is pivotably suspended in one of the pockets234 of the car seat 20, as illustrated in FIG. 18. As best illustratedin FIGS. 19 and 20, in the illustrated embodiment, the pendulum 250 isgenerally triangular in shape, having a first side 252, a second side254, a bottom 256, and a face 258. An axle 260 having cylindrical endsis provided at the apex of the first and second sides 252, 254.Preferably, the pendulum 250 is molded from a plastic material having abright color that contrasts with the color of the seat shell 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, an opening 280 is provided through the face258 of the pendulum 250. The opening 280 generally includes a firstregion 282 at a first radial distance from the center of the axle 260 ofthe pendulum 250, and a second region 284 at a second radial distancefrom the center of the axle 260 greater than the first distance. Thefirst region 282 is bounded by a first line L₁ extending through thecenter of the axle 260, and a second line L₂ extending through thecenter of the axle 260 at an angle α with respect to the first line L₁.In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α is approximately 9 degrees.The second region 284 is bounded by a third line L₃ extending throughthe center of the axle 260, and a fourth line L₄ extending through thecenter of the axle 260 at an angle β with respect to the third line L₃.In the illustrated embodiment, the angle β is approximately 16 degrees.

With reference again to FIG. 18, a rib 262 having generally U-shapedcutout 264 preferably extends upwardly into one of the pockets 234. Anopening 266 is provided in one of the side walls 236, 238 across fromthe cutout 264. The pendulum 250 is pivotably supported in the cutout264 and the opening 266.

As the car seat 20 is inclined or reclined, gravity causes the pendulum250 to pivot within the pocket 234. In the illustrated embodiment, afirst viewing area 290 and a second viewing area 292 are provided in theouter side wall 238 of the pocket 234. Preferably, the first and secondviewing areas 290, 292 comprise openings in the outer side wall 238. Thelocation of the first viewing area 290 is selected so that, when theangular orientation of the seat shell 22 is proper for an infant havinga weight within a first weight range, the first region 282 of theopening 280 in the pendulum 250 is in registration with the firstviewing area 290. As a result, the face 258 of the pendulum 250 is notvisible in the first viewing area 290.

When the seat shell 22 is too inclined or too reclined for an infanthaving a weight within the first weight range, the pendulum 250 pivotsin the pocket 234 so that at least a portion of the face 258 of thependulum 250 is visible in the first viewing area 290, as illustrated inFIG. 21. Thus, by looking to see whether the face 258 of the pendulum250 is visible in the first viewing area 290, it can be determinedwhether the angular orientation of the seat shell 22 is proper fortransporting an infant having a weight within the first weight range.

Similarly, the location of the second viewing area 292 is selected sothat, when the angular orientation of the seat shell 22 is proper for aninfant having a weight within a second weight range, the second region284 of the opening 280 in the pendulum 250 is in registration with thesecond viewing area 292. When the seat shell 22 is too inclined or tooreclined for an infant having a weight within the second weight range,the pendulum 250 pivots in the pocket 234 so that at least a portion ofthe face 258 of the pendulum 250 is visible in the second viewing area292. Accordingly, by looking to see whether the face 258 of the pendulum250 is visible in the second viewing area 292, it can be determinedwhether the angular orientation of the seat shell 22 is proper fortransporting an infant having a weight within the second weight range.

With reference still to FIG. 21, in the illustrated embodiment, a label298 having instructions concerning the proper use of the angle indicator230 is applied to the outer side wall 238. In illustrated embodiment,the label 298 indicates that the first viewing area 290 is to be used ifthe infant occupying the car seat 20 weighs less than 20 pounds, and thesecond viewing area 292 is to be used if the infant weighs more than 20pounds.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that, by increasing ordecreasing the angle α, the range of angular orientations of the seatshell 22 that the angle indicator 230 indicates as “proper” for a childhaving a weight within the first weight range (i.e., less than 20 poundsin the illustrated embodiment) can be increased or decreased,respectively. Similarly, by increasing or decreasing the angle β, therange of angular orientations of the seat shell 22 that the angleindicator 230 indicates as “proper” for a child having a weight withinthe second weight range (i.e., more than 20 pounds in the illustratedembodiment) can be increased or decreased, respectively.

It will be further recognized that the particular range of angularorientations of the seat shell 22 that the angle indicator 230 indicatesas “proper” for a child having a weight within the first weight rangedepends on the particular sizes, shapes, and relative locations of thefirst viewing area 290 and the first region 282 of the opening 280 inthe pendulum 250. Similarly, the particular range of angularorientations of the seat shell 22 that the angle indicator 230 indicatesas “proper” for a child having a weight within the second weight rangedepends on the particular sizes, shapes, and relative locations of thesecond viewing area 292 and the second region 284 of the opening 280 inthe pendulum 250.

It is to be understood that various modifications may be made to theangle indicator 230 of the illustrated embodiment. For example, inalternative embodiments, the angle indicator may include more than twoviewing areas, and the opening in face of the pendulum may include morethan two regions, to indicate the proper angular orientation of the seatshell for more than two different infant weight ranges. Instead ofproviding an opening in the face of the pendulum, a label may be affixedto the face of the pendulum. Preferably, the label would have a colorthat contrasts with the color of the surrounding face of the pendulum,so that the proper angular orientation of the seat shell could bedetermined based on the color that is visible through the appropriateviewing area.

Connection of Car Seat Base to Vehicle

The infant car seat 20 can be positioned directly on the seat of avehicle and secured to the vehicle seat by passing the vehicle seat beltthrough curved slots 304 (see FIG. 21) provided in the sides of the seatshell 22. Preferably, however, with reference to FIG. 22, a base 320 isprovided for supporting the car seat 20 on the vehicle seat to allow thecar seat 20 to be quickly installed and removed from the vehicle. In theillustrated embodiment, the base 320 includes a main body 324,preferably having a rigid, double-walled blow-molded construction. Thebase 320 can be secured to the vehicle seat by routing the vehicle seatbelt (not shown) over the main body 324 and through a pair of curvedslots 328 formed in a connection bracket 330 that extends upwardly fromthe main body 324. The curvature of the slots 328 serves to accommodatemultiple entry angles of the seat belt resulting from the differinglocations of the seat belt buckles in various vehicle makes and models.

If the vehicle in which the base 320 is situated is provided withuniversal anchors (not shown), the base is preferably connected to theanchors. The universal anchors comprise 6 mm pins, which typically arelocated near the junction of the vehicle seat bottom and the vehicleseat back. In the illustrated embodiment, latches 332 extend from an endof the main body 324 of the base for connection to the anchors. Thelatches 332 can be of any known type suitable for use in universalanchoring systems.

Government safety regulations dictate certain dimensional ranges for thelocations of the anchors relative to one another and relative to thevehicle seat. Accordingly, the latches 332 preferably are movablerelative to the main body 324 of the base 320 in order to accommodatethe full dimensional ranges allowed under the regulations. Withreference to FIG. 23, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the latches332 is attached to an end of an elongated rail 340. The rails 340 residein channels 344 formed along the sides of the base 320.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first cross-member 350 and a secondcross-member 352 extend laterally between the rails 340. A rail guide358 is connected to each end of each of the cross-members 350, 352. Therail guides 358 reside in recesses 360 formed in the underside of themain body 324. As best illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, each of the railguides 358 preferably has a generally U-shaped cross-section andincludes a top wall 364 and two generally parallel side walls 366. Therails 340 extend through slots 368 provided in the side walls 366 of therail guides 358.

In the illustrated embodiment, a lock mechanism 380 is provided at eachof the rail guides 358 of the first cross-member 350 to selectively lockthe rails 340 in place relative to the rail guides 358. Each of the lockmechanisms 380 preferably includes a lock arm 384 comprising a pair ofelongated stampings 386. As illustrated in FIG. 26, each of thestampings 386 has a longitudinally extending slot 388 in an end thereof.The height of the slot 388 preferably is slightly greater than thecross-sectional height of the rails 340.

The lock arms 384 preferably extend through openings 390 provided in thetop walls 364 of the rail guides 358, as illustrated in FIG. 25. Therails 340 extend through the slots 388 at the ends of the lock arms 384.A coil spring 396 preferably is provided around each of the rails 340between the lock arms 384 and the side walls 366 of the rail guides 358opposite the latch 332 ends of the rails 340, forcing the ends of thelock arms 384 towards the side walls 366 adjacent the latches 332.

When the rails 340 are pulled away from the main body 324 of the base320, the lock arms 384 tend to pivot against the top walls 364 of therail guides 358 so that the lock arms 384 are more parallel to the rails340. As a result, the lock arms 384 contact and “bite” into the top andbottom surfaces of the rails 340, thereby preventing the rails 340 frombeing further extended relative to the main body 324. When the rails 340are pushed towards the main body 324, however, the lock arms 384 tend topivot so that the lock arms 384 are more perpendicular to the rails 340,thereby better aligning the slots 388 at the ends of the lock arms 384with the rails 340 passing through the slots 388. As a result, the lockarms 384 do not “bite” into the upper and lower surfaces of the rails340 as the rails 340 are retracted towards the main body 324 of the base320. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the lock mechanisms 380lock the rails 340 in place to prevent the rails 340 from being extendedrelative to the main body 324 of the base, but allow the rails 340 to beretracted relative to the main body 324.

With reference again to FIG. 22, in the illustrated embodiment, anactuator 410 is provided above each of the lock arms 384. The actuators410 preferably are connected to the main body 324 of the base 320 bythreaded fasteners (not shown) that extend into the main body 324through openings 412 in the actuators 410. As best illustrated in FIGS.25 and 27, the ends of the actuators 410 opposite the openings 412contact the upper ends of the lock arms 384. When the ends of theactuators 410 are deflected towards the lock arms 384, the lock arms 384pivot against the top walls 364 of the rail guides 358 so that the lockarms 384 are more perpendicular to the rails 340, thereby betteraligning the slots 388 at the ends of the lock arms 384 with the rails340 passing through the slots 388. As a result, the lock arms 384 do not“bite” into the upper and lower surfaces of the rails 340 when theactuators 410 are deflected, allowing the rails 340 to be extended fromthe channels 344. When the actuators 410 are released, the coil springs396 force the ends of the lock arms 384 back towards the opposite sidewalls 366 of the rail guides 358 again to prevent the rails 340 frombeing further extended relative to the main body 324.

To install the base 320 in a vehicle, the actuators 410 preferably areactuated to allow the rails 340 to be extended from the main body 324 ofthe base 320. The actuators 410 are then released and the latches 332are connected to the anchors of the vehicle. The main body 324 of thebase 320 is then pressed towards the vehicle seat back, therebyretracting the rails 340 and preferably compressing the vehicle seatbottom beneath the main body 324. The lock mechanisms 380 and thevehicle seat back prevent movement of the main body 324 in theforward/aft directions.

Connection of Car Seat to Car Seat Base

With the base 320 secured to the vehicle seat by means of the vehicleseat belt or the latches 332, the car seat 20 can conveniently beconnected to the base 320 to safely transport an infant. With referenceto FIG. 28, in the illustrated embodiment, a connection rod 400 isinstalled in the seat shell 22 by inserting the rod 400 through openings402 in the inner and outer side walls 236, 238 of one of the supports242. The rod 400 is then passed through the bottom of the crotch beltpocket 184 and through an opening 406 in the inner wall 236 of the othersupport 242. Preferably, the crotch belt (not shown) is passed aroundthe connection rod 400 to securely anchor the crotch belt to the seatshell 22.

A release handle 412, illustrated in FIG. 29, preferably is slideablyconnected to the seat shell 22 near the foot end 26 thereof by a pair ofhooks 416 that extend into slots (not shown) in the seat shell 22. Asillustrated in FIG. 29, the release handle 412 preferably includes apair of arms 420 and a pair of contact surfaces 422 located inwardly ofthe arms 420. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the arms 420includes two generally parallel walls 426 and a web portion 428 thatextends between the walls 426. A biasing member, such as a coil spring(not shown), biases the release handle 412 towards the head end 24 ofthe seat shell 22.

With reference to FIG. 30, a release strap 430 preferably is connectedto each of the arms 420 of the release handle 412. The release straps430 preferably have hooked ends 432 that extend around the web portions428 of the arms 420. Each of the straps 430 extends through an opening436 in one of the supports 242 and beneath a guide surface 438 towardsthe head end 24 of the seat shell 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 30, each of the straps 430 is connected at an endopposite the release handle 412 to a mounting hook 450. The mountinghooks 450 are preferably formed of acetyl or a similarly resilientmaterial. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting hooks 450generally have an inverted “V” shape and include a number of ribs 454and a central gusset 456 for reinforcement. Each of the mounting hooks450 includes a first leg 460, to which the release strap 430 isconnected, and a second leg 462. The first leg 460 includes an upperbarb 466 and a lower barb 468 that extend towards the second leg 462.The second leg 462 is retained in place by ribs 474 extending from thesupport 242.

With reference again to FIG. 28, a slot 490, also having an inverted “V”shape, extends upwardly from the bottom surface 246 of each of thesupports 242. In FIG. 28, the upper and lower barbs 466, 468 of themounting hooks 450 protrude into the slot 490. When the release handle412 is moved towards the foot end 26 of the seat shell 22, the releasestraps 430 pull the first legs 460 of mounting hooks 450 away fromsecond legs 462, so that the upper and lower barbs 466, 468 no longerprotrude into slots 490. When the handle 412 is released, the mountinghooks 450 resiliently return to their original positions.

With reference now to FIGS. 31 and 32, in the illustrated embodiment,the connection bracket 330 includes a central portion 496 and two sidewalls 498 that extend in a direction generally perpendicular to thecentral portion 496. A slot 500 is provided in each of the side walls498 near the curved seat belt slots 328. A tab 502 extends upwardly fromthe central portion 496 adjacent each of the side walls 498. A pawl 504is pivotably connected between each tab 502 and the adjacent side wall498. A biasing spring 512 biases a hooked end portion 516 of each pawl504 away from the central portion 498 so that, when viewed from theperspective of FIG. 32, the hooked portion 516 extends across the slot500.

With reference now to FIG. 33, the side walls 498 and the pawls 504 ofthe connection bracket 330 extend upwardly through the main body 324 ofthe base 320 near a foot end 518 of the base 320. As the foot end 26 ofthe infant car seat 20 is lowered onto the base 320, the connection rod400 is aligned with and lowered into the slots 500 in the connectionbracket 330. The connection rod 400 contacts and deflects the pawls 504away from the slots 500 as it passes downwardly into the slots 500. Whenthe connection rod 400 reaches the bottom of the slots 500, the biasingsprings 512 bias the pawls 504 back towards the slots 500 so that thehooked portions 516 of the pawls 504 extend over the rod 400, therebyretaining the rod 400 in the slots 500.

With reference still to FIG. 33, in the illustrated embodiment, a mount520 having a rounded top and a notch 522 in a side thereof is located oneach side of the base 320 near a head end 530 of the base 320. As thehead end 24 of the car seat 20 is lowered onto the base 320, the slots490 in the supports 424 of the car seat 20 are aligned with the mounts520. The mounts 520 contact the lower barbs 468 of the mounting hooks450 (not visible in FIG. 33), thereby deflecting the first legs 460 ofthe mounting hooks 450 away from the second legs 462. When the car seat20 is fully lowered onto the base 320, as illustrated in FIG. 34, thelower barbs 468 are aligned with the notches 522 in the sides of themounts 520. The first legs 460 of the mounting hooks 450 resilientlyreturn towards the second legs 462 so that the lower barbs 468 extendinto the notches 522. The lower barbs 468 abut the tops of the notches522, thereby locking the head end 24 of the car seat 20 to the base 320.

To release the car seat 20 from the base 320, the release handle 412 ismoved towards the foot end 26 of the seat shell 20. As the handle 412 ismoved towards the foot end 26, the contact surfaces 422 (see FIG. 29) ofthe handle 412 contact the pawls 504 of the connection bracket 330 (seeFIG. 31). The pawls 504 are rotated away from the slots 500 in thebracket 330 so that hooked portions 516 of the pawls 504 do not extendover connection rod 400. At the same time, the movement of the releasehandle 412 pulls the release straps 430 (see FIG. 30) towards the footend 26 of the seat shell 20, thereby pulling the first legs 460 ofmounting hooks 450 away from second legs 462 so that the lower barbs 468do not extend into the notches 522 in the mounts 520. The car seat 20can then be lifted off of the base 320.

Angular Adjustment of Car Seat Base and Car Seat

With reference again to FIG. 23, in the illustrated embodiment, the base320 has an angular adjustment mechanism 550 including a lifter 552. Thelifter 552, illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36, includes a generally planarportion 556 and projections 558 that extend upwardly from a first end562 of the planar portion 556. A threaded recess 566 extends between theprojections 558. A bearing surface 570, preferably comprising agenerally convex surface, slopes downwardly away from the planar portion556 from the first end 562 thereof. Slots 574 are provided in the planarportion 556 near a second end 578 thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, the lifter 552 preferably is slideablyconnected to the underside of the main body 324 of the base 320 byfasteners (not shown) that extend through the slots 574 in the planarportion 556. The projections (not visible in FIG. 23) extend intochannels 584 formed in the underside of the main body 324. An adjustmentscrew 588 extends into the threaded recess 566 of the lifter 552 fromthe head end 530 of the base. The screw 588 is rotatably connected tothe main body 324 by a retainer 590 that extends over the screw 588 andis connected to the main body 324 by a pair of fasteners 592. Anadjustment knob 596 is connected to an end of the screw 588. The screw588 mates with the threaded recess 566 of the lifter 552 so that, byturning the adjustment knob 596, the lifter 552 can be drawn towards oraway from the head 530 end of the base 320.

With reference now to FIG. 37, in the illustrated embodiment, the base320 includes a foot portion 600 at the underside thereof. The footportion 600, illustrated in FIGS. 38 and 39, has an extension 602 thatoverhangs a first end 606 of the foot portion 600, and a cantileverspring 610 that extends from the first end 606 towards a second end 612of the foot portion 600. In the illustrated embodiment, projections 616extend upwardly from the second end 612 of the foot portion 600. Each ofthe projections 616 defines a bearing surface 620, preferably comprisinga generally concave surface corresponding to the generally convexbearing surface 570 of the lifter 552, that slopes upwardly towards thesecond end 612. A recess 624 preferably is formed between theprojections 616 for passage of the adjustment screw 588.

As illustrated in FIG. 37, the extension 602 at the first end 606 of thefoot portion 600 is retained under the first cross-member 350 betweenfirst cross-member 350 and the main body 324 of the base 320. Thecantilever spring 610 extends under the second cross-member 352 betweenthe second cross-member 352 and the main body 324.

With reference now to FIG. 40, in the illustrated embodiment, the footportion 600 is pivotable about the first cross-member 350 relative tothe main body 324. When the screw 588 is turned in a first direction,the lifter 552 is drawn towards the head end 530 of the base 320. Thebearing surface 570 of the lifter 552 rides over the bearing surfaces620 of the projections 616. If the foot portion 600 is supported on asurface, such as a vehicle seat, the head end 530 of the main body 324is lifted relative to the foot portion 600, thus changing the angularorientation of the main body 324. The cantilever spring 610 is deflectedas the head end 530 of the main body 324 is lifted relative to the footportion 600.

When the screw 558 is turned in the opposite direction, the lifter 552is moved away from the head end 530 of the base 320. The bearing surface570 of the lifter 552 slides down the bearing surfaces 620 of theprojections 616. The cantilever spring 610 assists gravity to force thehead end 530 of the main body 324 downwardly towards the foot portion600.

Accordingly, by rotating the adjustment knob 596, it is possible toadjust the angular orientation of the main body 324 of base 320, andtherefore the angular orientation of the car seat 20 when the car seat20 is connected to the base 320. In contrast to some existing systems,the angular adjustment mechanism 550 is provided at the head end 530 ofthe base 320, opposite the vehicle seat back, making it more convenientto reach and operate. The adjustment knob 596 preferably is turned untilthe angle indicator 230 of the car seat 20 indicates that theorientation of the seat shell 22 is proper for the weight of the infantoccupying it.

Connection of Car Seat to Stroller

With reference now to FIG. 41, the car seat 20 preferably can beconnected to a stroller 700 which, in the illustrated embodiment,includes a stroller frame 702 and a stroller tray 704 that traverses thestroller frame 702. The stroller tray 704 preferably includes recessedareas 708 for supporting items such as drink cups, food and toys. Asillustrated in FIG. 42, the underside of the tray 704 preferablyincludes runners 712 that extend from a front 714 of the tray 704 to arear 716 of the tray 704. Each of the runners 712 defines an elongatedslot 718. A lock 720 is provided at the rear of the tray 704 between therunners 712.

The stroller tray 704 preferably is supported by a tray bar 730. Asillustrated in FIG. 43, the tray bar 730 preferably includes recesses732 that correspond to the recessed areas 708 in the tray 704. Channels736 extend from a front 738 of the tray bar 730 to a rear 740 of thetray bar 730 to accommodate the runners 712 of the tray 704. An opening748 is provided through the tray bar 730 on each side of the channels736. A lock opening 750 is provided at the rear 740 of the tray bar 730between the channels 736.

The tray bar 730 may be adapted to be connected to the stroller frame702 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the tray bar730 includes an arm portion 756 at each side thereof. A vertical slot758 is provided at the end of each arm portion 756, as illustrated inFIG. 44. The arm portions 756 slide over fingers (not shown) extendingfrom the arms 762 (see FIG. 41) of the stroller. The fingers extendthrough the slots 758 in the arm portions 756 and cooperate with the armportions 756 to lock the tray bar 730 to the stroller 700.

With reference now to FIG. 45, in the illustrated embodiment, the tray704 is connected to the tray bar 730 by a pivot rod 770 that extendsalong the front 738 of the tray bar 730 through the slots 718 in therunners 712. When the tray 704 is in its use position, as illustrated inFIG. 45, the tray 704 is cradled by the tray bar 730. The tray lock 720extends into the lock opening 750 of the tray bar 730 to lock the tray704 in place.

Prior to connecting the infant car seat 20 to the stroller 700, the lock720 is released and the rear 716 of the tray 704 is pivoted upwardlyabout the pivot rod 770 away from the tray bar 730. The tray 704 is thenlowered by allowing the pivot rod 770 to slide through the slots 718 inthe runners 712 until it reaches the rear ends of the slots 718, asillustrated in FIGS. 46 and 47. Accordingly, the tray 704 remainsconnected to the tray bar 730 even when it is not in use, therebyreducing the likelihood of misplacing the tray 704.

With reference again to FIG. 43, in the illustrated embodiment, each ofthe openings 748 in the tray bar 730 has a stepped outer side wall 780.An attachment bar 784 is defined behind each of the openings 748. Eachof the attachment bars 784 preferably has an inverted “V” shaped crosssection that corresponds to the shape of the upper ends of the slots 490in the supports 242 of the car seat 20 (see FIG. 28).

With reference now to FIG. 48, to connect the infant car seat 20 to thestroller 700, the car seat 20 is lowered onto the stroller 700 so thatthe supports 242 extend into the openings 748 in the tray bar 730. Theattachment bars 784 are guided upwardly through the slots 490 in thesupports 242. As the car seat 20 is lowered, the attachment bars 784deflect the first legs 460 of the attachment hooks 450. When theattachment bars 784 reach the upper ends of the slots 490, the firstlegs 460 of the attachment hooks 450 spring back so that the upper barbs466 abut the bottom of the tray bar 730, as illustrated in FIG. 49. Thestepped outer side walls 780 of the openings 748 cooperate with thestepped outer side walls 238 of the supports 242 to prevent rotation ofthe car seat 20 relative to the tray bar 730.

The stroller frame 702 preferably is provided with integral supports forsupporting the foot end 26 of the seat shell 22. Alternatively, however,as illustrated in FIGS. 48 and 50, add-on supports 790 can be provided.In the illustrated embodiment, the add-on supports 790 are retractable.As illustrated in FIG. 50, each of the supports 790 preferably includesa ring portion 792 that clasps the stroller frame 702 and a fingerportion 794 pivotably connected to the ring portion 792. To deploy thesupports 790, the finger portions 794 are pivoted inwardly away from theframe 702. The foot end 26 of the seat shell 22 can then be lowered ontothe finger portions 794.

To release the car seat 20 from the stroller 700, the release handle 420is moved towards the foot end 26 of seat shell 20. As the handle 412 ismoved towards the foot end 26, the release straps 430 (see FIG. 30) pullthe first legs 460 of the mounting hooks 450 away from the second legs462 so that the upper barbs 466 do not abut the bottom of the tray bar730. The car seat 20 can then be lifted off of the stroller 70.

Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventionherein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosedembodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fairreading of the claims that follow.

1. An infant car seat, comprising: a seat shell; a first safety belthaving a first looped end; second safety belt having a second loopedend; a third safety belt having a third looped end; and a splitter plateconnecting said first, second and third safety belts behind said seatshell, said splitter plate comprising: a lower portion; and an upperportion extending over said lower portion from a first side of saidlower portion towards a second side of said lower portion and defining agap between an end of said upper portion and said second side of saidlower portion, said gap sized to allow said first and second looped endsto slide through said gap and around said upper portion and said thirdlooped end to slide through said gap and around said lower portion. 2.The car seat of claim 1, wherein said upper portion comprises a retainerextending inwardly from said end of said upper portion to prevent saidfirst and second looped portions from sliding off of said upper portion.3. The car seat of claim 2, wherein said lower portion comprises a firstretainer extending inwardly from said first side of said lower portionand a second retainer extending inwardly from said second side of saidlower portion, said first and second extensions limiting slidingmovement of said third looped portion relative to said lower portion. 4.The car seat of claim 2, wherein said upper portion comprises a curvedinterior surface to accommodate a converging arrangement of said firstand second safety belts towards said splitter plate.
 5. An infant carseat comprising: a seat shell; a splitter plate connecting a firstsafety belt, a second safety belt and a third safety belt behind saidseat shell, said splitter plate comprising a lower portion and an upperportion extending over said lower portion from a first side of saidlower portion towards a second side of said lower portion; and anadjustable seat back connected to said seat shell, wherein said firstsafety belt passes through a first slot in said seat shell, passesthrough a channel, and passes through a first slot in said seat back,and wherein said second safety belt passes through a second slot in saidseat shell, passes through a channel, and passes through a second slotin said seat back.
 6. The car seat of claim 5, wherein said first andsecond safety belts pass through a single channel.
 7. The car seat ofclaim 6, wherein said channel is in said seat back.
 8. The car seat ofclaim 6, wherein said channel is between said seat back and said shell.